Electrical power generating system

ABSTRACT

An electrical power generating system which includes a generator having a cylindrical main body having a hollow interior. A permanent magnet piston is arranged for reciprocal axial motion within the hollow interior between opposing ends of the cylinder. Both ends of the cylinder are fitted with end portions having arc discharge devices incorporated therein for igniting the gas which fills the tube. Alternating activation of the arc discharge devices produces reciprocal motion of the piston which produces sufficient magnetic flux to produce electrical power in windings which are positioned concentrically about the exterior of the tube. Control means for activating the arc discharge devices ensures the most efficient production of electrical energy, the control means and the igniter plugs being powered by a rechargeable battery which receives charging power from the output mains of the generator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a generator. More particularly, theinvention is directed to a device for generating electrical power, whichuses energy created from the controlled ignition of noble gasses withina power cylinder.

2. Description of the Prior Art

With the current ecological and environmental problems plaguing theworld, numerous approaches to reducing the amounts of pollutantsintroduced into the environment have been undertaken. One approach isthe use of alternative power sources, especially for electrical powergeneration systems and the like. Most of the alternative approachesbeing pursued relate to new technology such as fuel cells and solarcells, or highly experimental refinements of known technology such aswindmills, which have only a very limited application.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,391 issued to and owned by the applicant, disclosesa fluid pressure driven motor concept which offers several advantagesover conventional fluid pressure motors. The motor is pollution free,quiet running, and operates at relatively high torque with rapidacceleration. The horsepower to weight ratio is relatively high for afluid pressure apparatus, and, as the motor is not an internalcombustion motor, avoids the necessity of inclusion of conventionalinstrumentalities such as a carburetor, spark plugs, distributor, camshaft, sprockets, and lifters. Finally, the motor is compact in size andcan be oriented in any direction during operation.

The present invention is directed to a device for producing electricalpower from the controlled ignition of a combustible substance. Thecontrolled ignition causes oscillating movement of a permanent magnetwhich produces magnetic flux which interacts with a series of adjacentcoils to produce electrical power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the invention comprises an electrical power generating systemwhich includes a cylindrical main body having a hollow interior. Apermanent magnet piston is arranged for reciprocal axial motion withinthe hollow interior between opposing ends of the cylinder. Both ends ofthe cylinder are fitted with end portions having arc discharge devicesincorporated therein for igniting the gas which fills the tube.Alternating activation of the arc discharge devices produces reciprocalmotion of the piston which produces sufficient magnetic flux to produceelectrical power in windings which are positioned concentrically aboutthe exterior of the tube. Control means for activating the arc dischargedevices ensures the most efficient production of electrical energy.

It is a major object of this invention to provide an electrical powergenerator which uses a reciprocating permanent magnet piston to generateelectrical power.

It is another object of the invention to provide a self containedelectrical power generating unit which does not vent greenhouse gasses.

It is another object of the invention to provide an electrical powergenerating unit which has an electronically controlled ignition system.

Finally, it is a general goal of the invention to provide improvedelements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposesdescribed which is dependable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

The present invention meets or exceeds all the above objects and goals.Upon further study of the specification and appended claims, furtherobjects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electrical generator of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the generator.

FIG. 3 is an end view, partly in section, of the generator.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the generator.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of the overall diagram of the

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the generator device of the presentinvention, generally indicated by the numeral 10, is shown. Thegenerator 10 can be seen to comprise an elongated, generally cylindricalhousing 20 having an interiorly disposed combustion chamber 22 andexteriorly disposed mounting apparatus. The interior surfaces of thehousing or cylinder 20 are preferably lined with stainless steel.Opposing end portions 24, 26 of the housing 20 include end walls 28, 30in sealed engagement within respective end portions of the housing 20.Each end wall 28, 30 includes a centrally disposed bore 32, 34 throughwhich an arc discharge device such as an igniter plug 36, 37 isremovably inserted, and concave interior wall surfaces 40, 42 to ensurea uniform distribution of force upon piston 44 as will be explained inmore detail later. The plugs 36, 37 may be threadedly or otherwisesealingly engaged within end walls 28, 30 to prevent the escape ofcombustion gasses.

Housing 20 includes upper and lower bracket members 45, 47 which aredisposed at opposing ends of the housing 20 and held together by bolts49 or other fastening arrangement as would be apparent to one of skillin the art. The bracket housing 20 helps to both support and stabilizethe device 10. The housing 20 includes a pair of inlet/outlet valves 51for the intake and exhaust of noble gasses to fill the combustionchamber 22 as will be explained in more detail below.

Disposed within the housing 20 in axially sliding relation is apermanent magnet piston 52. The piston 52 is sized for slidably sealingengagement with interior surfaces of the housing 20 as is well known inthe art. In a preferred embodiment, the piston 52 is a composite memberhaving a central non-magnetic disc 53 sandwiched between solid cylindersof magnetic material 54, 56 having opposing polarity. A lubricant, suchas silicone or other high tech non-liquid lubricant may be used toreduce sliding friction of the piston 52.

Two sets of coil windings 60, 62 are disposed proximate end portions ofthe housing 20, the windings 60, 62 being wound on exterior surfaces ofthe housing. The coil windings 60, 62 are electrically connected to aload 63 to deliver electrical power.

Motive power for causing axial reciprocation of the piston 52 isprovided by controlled ignition of gas, preferably noble gasses withincylinder 20. Gas is introduced to the cylinder 20 from a gas source (notshown) via valves 51. The valves 51 may be one way valves, with one anintake valve and the other an exhaust valve. The valves 51 are closedduring ignition of the plasma to transfer full energy to the piston 52,and may be selectively opened and closed by control circuit 70.

Control circuit 70 functions to control the activation of igniter plugs36, allowing for the reciprocating speed, and therefore the output powerto be precisely regulated. Rechargeable batteries 72, which may becadmium batteries, supply operating power to the control circuit 70 andthe igniter plugs 36. The batteries 72 may be two separate units, onefor starting and the other for driving the generator. In one aspect ofthe invention, the batteries 72 are charged by diverting power from theload via, e.g. a diode rectifying circuit 73 to provide a source of DCcurrent, and therefore have an extremely long life as can be seen in theschematic of FIG. 5. The control circuit 70 is preferably of the quartzcontrolled SCR switching type.

In operation of the generator 10, the cylinder 20 is filled with a noblegas such as argon via one of the one way valves 51 (intake). The igniterplug 36 is then activated causing ignition and then expansion of the gaswithin the cylinder 20 urging piston 52 toward the non-ignited plug 37.Both valves 51 are preferably closed during combustion to maximizetransference of energy and momentum to piston 52. After a predeterminedamount of travel, the spent gas is discharged via the other of valves 51(exhaust), and more gas is introduced into the cylinder 20 via intakevalve 51. The opposing igniter plug 37 is activated creating a heatedgas plasma which expands and urges the piston 52 toward plug 36. Theprocess is repeated to create reciprocating movement. The movement ofthe permanent magnet piston 52 in the vicinity of the coils 61, 62causes an AC current to flow therein creating power which is deliveredto the load 63, with some power diverted to the batteries 72 and controlcircuit as discussed above.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easilyascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changesand modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages andconditions.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to thesole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims:

1. A power generating device comprising: a sealed cylindrical housingcontaining a gas and having opposing end portions, each end portioncontaining an arc discharge device; a permanent magnet piston arrangedin axially sliding relation within said housing; a pair of coil windingsarranged about exterior end portions of said housing, said coil windingelectrically connected to a load for delivering electrical powerthereto; control means for selectively activating said arc dischargedevices; wherein ignition of said gas by selective activation of aid arcdischarge devices causes reciprocating axial movement of said piston. 2.The device of claim 1 wherein said piston is formed of a centralnon-magnetic disc sandwiched between solid cylinders of magneticmaterial having opposing polarity.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein saidhousing includes a pair of one way valves, one of said valves for intakeand the other of said valves for exhaust of said gas.
 4. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said control circuit is powered by a battery.
 5. Thedevice of claim 4 including means for diverting some of said electricalpower to said battery.